Repeal of old Act to make life easier for boaters in NSW

by Transport for NSW/Sail-World Cruising on 4 Jun 2014 One Australian state is 'making life easier for boaters and stakeholders alike' by having repealed the Navigation Act 1901, according to the General Manager Maritime Management Centre for NSW, Howard Glenn. The Act, repealed on 2 June, was one of the oldest pieces of legislation in NSW.

The repeal of the Act will contribute to streamlining maritime legislation and is consistent with the NSW Government's Maritime Policy Agenda.

'The repeal of the Navigation Act removes outdated and unnecessary legislation and adds to the already significant achievements in modernising and simplifying maritime legislation in NSW,' Mr Glenn said.

'Over the past three years there has been significant reform to the legislative framework for the NSW maritime industry with the repeal of the Commercial Vessels Act 1979 and the six Regulations under that Act as well as the introduction of a national system for the regulation of commercial vessels.

'Being over 113 years old, the Navigation Act contains provisions no longer relevant to a modern maritime industry, for example the Act allows the Governor to authorise the construction of jetties and provides a penalty of only $55 for constructing a wharf without approval.'

The repeal of the Navigation Act removes another layer of regulation and further simplifies requirements for industry.
Mr Glenn said work is also underway to repeal the Maritime Services Act 1935 and a review of the Marine Safety Act 1998 is being finalised.

'Once this work has been completed there will only be two primary acts covering maritime matters in NSW, the Marine Safety Act 1998 and the Ports and Maritime Administration Act 1995,' Mr Glenn said.

'This will make life easier for boaters and stakeholders alike and is further evidence of our common sense approach to the management of NSW waterways and For more information